I Forgot….
I forgot who I was for a moment
And what I wanted to say,
But I’m certain that it was important.
The one thing so you’d want to stay.
Just look on the floor all around you.
Just check on the stairs and the ground.
‘Cause I know when you hear all about it,
You’ll be happy that I’m still around.
I remember the feelings you gave me.
They’re safe in my cigarette pack.
They’re the paste that’s holding my dreams.
I’m afraid that I can’t give them back.
I’ve misplaced the words that I wanted.
They’re the reason that I want to smile.
So search out the places around you.
I’m sure that I’ll be worth your while.
I forgot who I was for a moment.
I forgot who I wanted to be.
If you find that one phrase that I’m missing,
Please remember that it was from me.
Barbie Dockstader Angell
© 2009-present
[This will be the last post before Thanksgiving, so a very joyful holiday to all of our U.S. friends. See you on Friday—but please take a moment to say "hey" to Barbie Angell, our favorite Rockstar-Poet-in-Residence, in the comments!]
Very good (I hesitate to use the word, "nice"; it's just as bad as "cute" when you're talking about a poem). It reminds me of my Dr. Seuss-style poem, "Thoughts on Thinking".
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Barbie, that is one bad-ass sun!
Kat
Hi Kat: Thanks from me!--tho I bet Barbie will be by at some point too. Do you have a link for that poem? & yes, a "bad-ass sun" indeed!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteIf you find that one phrase that I’m missing,
Please remember that it was from me.
One of the things I like about the poem is that the speaker doesn't sound convinced that these missing words will be found. The job of searching for them is in the hands of someone else, someone who's halfway out the door it seems like. So there's a heart-breaking quality to all of it.
Hi HKatz: Those are great observations. In fact, I find a heartbreaking quality to many of Barbie's poems, which is why I often refer to them as Chaplinesque. Her poetic persona seems so much like a very 21st century, very much female "Little Tramp."
ReplyDeleteHKatz: & a very happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteIt took me ages to find this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://poetikatkm.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/osi-thinking-poetikat-in-the-hat/
Hope you all enjoy it!
Thanks Kat! Speaking for myself having just read it, I'm "thinking" it was well worth it!
ReplyDeletekat, thank you. and thank you for posting that link. i commented on the your site. thanks also for the sun comment. that's my Picasso-style refrigerator art....i had a lot of fun doing it. :)
ReplyDeletehkatz, bullseye. :) yep, reminding him to remember they were my words is the part most people overlook. it's funny, i'm considering this for my children's book so i drew something to go with it. it's a couch with words scattered underneath....the funny part is that i couldn't decide what the words should be. :) thanks for the comments, i always like hearing what your thoughts are.
john, thank you so very much. i love the Chaplin comparison. i'm a huge fan of his work and i'm honored when you refer to me as the female "little tramp" :) thanks also for your lovely compliments on these pieces.
Barbie: Hey, on that mythical visit of mine out your way, I think we should watch "Modern Times" or "City Lights!" Didn't know you liked Chaplin--I love his work, & I think it's an apt comparison :)
ReplyDeletei have a boxset of Chaplin's films as well as "Chaplin" with Robert Downey Jr. i also have a boxset of the Marx Brothers....they're my all-time favorites. Harpo in particular. i read his autobiography when i was 10, long before i knew he was part of the Algonquin Round Table. then again, George S. Kaufman wrote for the Marx Brothers.......even my tangents have tangents. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Barbie: Wow, Chaplin & the Marx Brothers! That is so incredibly cool! Yes, I'm a huge fan of Harpo as well :)
ReplyDeletethat's because Harpo was a genius. :)
ReplyDeleteBarbie: I know how to spot genius, now don't I :)
ReplyDeleteLove these verses : they are all jolly birthday-cardish, light, fluffy, and .... and then you get a line like "I remember the feelings you gave me / They’re safe in my cigarette pack". Like a chocolate chip in a bun.
ReplyDeletejohn, yep, one of your many gifts. :)
ReplyDeletealan, thank you. :) i've just changed that portion a bit because that poem may be in my new children's book. of course talking about cigarettes wouldn't be a good idea for that. :) that is something i used to do though....put notes or reminders under the cellophane of my pack of cigarettes....that way i'd be sure to see them.